Training Balls are made to last longer as they are used more than match balls. They also have a hydratec barrier in their construction, which helps to repel water and dirt which helps to maintain the quality and shape of the balls.

Ireland Training Rugby Ball

Training Balls are made to last longer as they are used more than match balls. They also have a hydratec barrier in their construction, which helps to repel water and dirt which helps to maintain the quality and shape of the balls. Ireland's emerald green jersey is one of the most recognizable in the world. No true rugby fan's wardrobe is complete without it! Although England and Scotland played the first rugby union international match in 1871, Wales and Ireland joined the battle in the 1880s thus creating the prelude to the Six Nations tournament.

Tachikara's new competition rugby ball featuring a "Super-Grip" surface to ensure a firm hold in all weather conditions. Designed for use at all levels of competition. Official size and weight.

Why play rugby when you can live it? Who else has the haka? Where else would the first World Cup be played? Who else would win it? What team would you expect to unleash Jonah Lomu on the world? Who dominates the World Sevens Series, the World U21s, and the Women's World Cup? What's that you say? It's still just play? Well think about this: Where else can a rugby tour spark widespread civil unrest? Where else can the team doctor write a book? Where else do they have a rugby channel on TV? The black jersey has menaced opponents for a more than a century now. It took the Originals more than six months to complete that first All Black tour in 1905, but they made it worth their while. They reinvented the way rugby was played. They changed the way the Home Nations thought about the Colonies. They launched a legend. And the game remains at the heart of New Zealand's identity: Ka Mate! Ka Mate! Ka Ora! Ka Ora! (I die! I die! I live! I live!). Don't wear All Blacks gear unless you mean it.

Training Balls are made to last longer as they are used more than match balls. They also have a hydratec barrier in their construction, which helps to repel water and dirt which helps to maintain the quality and shape of the balls. It may have been rugby's perfect storm. England and the World Cup of 2003. It was certainly a team for the ages. That big, powerful front row that could get around the park too. Martin Johnson in the engine room. The loose forwards who fit together like a hand in a glove Dallaglio, Hill, and Back. The threats out wide like Jason Robinson and Ben Cohen. Did we miss anyone? Ah, yes, some bloke named Wilkinson. Hey Jonn y Jonn y! Jonn y Jonn y Jonn y Wil kin son! So sang the English fans who crowded the pubs and mobbed the streets of Sydney. They it sang on the trains to and from Homebush for the games, and they sang it massed in a sea of white at Olympic Stadium. Then there was that mad scientist of a coach. Clive Woodward. No stone unturned. No expense spared. No idea too weird or wonderful to consider. The result? Cup glory for England. Victory parades in London. Honors for everyone arise Sir Clive! England, who, after all invented the whole sport, were unequivocally, undisputedly, finally on top. Number one. World Cup winners. A perfect storm. A perfect story. Tell your kids so that they will tell their kids. Introduce them to that great rugby cathedral Twickenham.

The Gilbert XT500 is designed to be a top-quality training ball with a grippy rubber surface and 3-ply cotton and rubber laminate. Hydratec technical fabrics with waterproof laminations help to enhance the life and performance of the ball.

These are miniature versions of the official match balls of these prestigious rugby nations. They have a Butyl bladder and a grippy synthetic leather upper.

The first international rugby match was played in 1871 between Scotland and England when the captains of five Scottish clubs challenged English clubs to a representative national match. Scotland won by one goal and one try to England's one try. Like England, the basis of Scotland's jersey has not changed since 1871 a navy blue jersey with a thistle as the emblem. The colours were chosen by the committee of six who organised the match at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, still the home of the Edinburgh Academicals. The thistle has been Scotland's emblem since 1263 when a group of invading Vikings sought to surprise the Scottish army at night while they were asleep in the fields. The Vikings eschewed protective gear and their plan was foiled when a leading Viking placed a bare foot on a thistle and cried out in pain. This woke the Ascots who drove the Vikings to their longboats, thus ending the threat of Viking invasion.

This is a match quality hand stitched professional rugby ball. Perfectly balanced for tight spirals while kicking and passing. The ball is made with synthetic rubber, multilaminate and a latex bladder. Made of 4 ply polyster and cotton lined. Latex Bladder. Deep pimple grain. Official Size and weight. Great ball for playing in all weather conditions.

Training Balls are made to last longer as they are used more than match balls. They also have a hydratec barrier in their construction, which helps to repel water and dirt which helps to maintain the quality and shape of the balls.